Quick Links

Key Takeaways

  • The Control Panel is still necessary on Windows 11 because not all settings are available in the Settings app.
  • You can open the Control Panel using the Start Menu, Run menu, Command Prompt, or by pinning it to the taskbar.
  • To add a Control Panel desktop icon, go to Settings, navigate to Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings, then check "Control Panel" in the window.

When you want to change settings in Windows 11, you usually reach for the Settings app. But the trusty Control Panel still plays an important role during many configuration tasks. Here are several different ways to open it.

Why Use the Control Panel on Windows 11?

Not every option available in the Control Panel is accessible in the Setting app yet, and you'll often find that items in the Settings app literally just redirect you to the Control Panel anyway. In many cases, it is just faster to go straight to the Control Panel rather skim through the Settings app trying to determine if the option you're looking for has migrated over.

Use the Start Menu to Open Control Panel

In the Start menu, type "control panel" and click its icon.

One of the easiest ways to launch Control Panel is by using the Start menu. To do so, click the Start button on your taskbar and type "control panel." Click the "Control Panel" icon that appears in the results, and Control Panel will launch immediately.

Use the Run Menu or Command Prompt to Access the Control Panel

In the "Run" box, type "control" and hit Enter.

You can also launch Control Panel from the Run menu. Press Windows+R on your keyboard, and when the Run window pops up, type "control", and then click "OK" or press Enter. Similarly, you can open Control Panel from the Command Prompt or Windows Terminal by typing "control" and pressing Enter.

Pin the Control Panel to the Taskbar

Right-click the Control Panel icon on the taskbar and select "Pin to Taskbar."

Once you've opened Control Panel using any of the methods described above, its icon will appear in your taskbar. If you'd like to keep it there so you can launch it from your taskbar later, right-click the Control Panel icon and select "Pin to Taskbar." The next time you'd like to launch Control Panel, click the icon in your taskbar.

Add a Control Panel Desktop Icon

The Control Panel icon on the Windows 11 desktop.

You can also add a special desktop icon for Control Panel. To do so, press Windows+i to open Settings, then navigate to Personalization > Themes and click "Desktop Icon Settings." In the Desktop Icon Settings window that opens, place a checkmark beside "Control Panel," and then click "OK." The icon will appear on your desktop. To launch Control Panel, double-click the desktop icon at any time. Good luck!